You can find this native shrub growing in the southeastern portion of the U.S. When you can identify it, leave a comment with the common name, scientific name and any personal story you may have about this plant or how you identified it.
Leaves breaking bud in the spring
Inflorescence in bud and starting to bloom
Close view of flowers
Inflorescence in full bloom
Inflorescence after blooming; leaves in summer
Leaves in fall
ANSWER (subsequently added to this post to facilitate the “search” function for these images): Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Oak leaf hydrangea! Hydrangea quercifolia. These peppered our forest growing up, and I will always love them for their oaky laciness.
I agree it is Oak leaf Hydrangea but had to look up the scientific name was not certain of that. I have had a nice specimen for about 10 years. ,has great fall color and I love the exfoliating bark.
Looks like oak leaved hydrangea to me. I’ve never seen it in the wild, but my mother, who’s an avid gardener has grown it for years, and I recently spotted it in a public garden here in NJ. Love the fall color.
Hydrangea quercifolia, Oak Leaf Hydrangea.
One of those shrubs which causes zone envy to rear it’s ugly head as it’s not hardy here. Sigh!
Hydrangea quercifolia…Oak Leaf Hydrangea…a shrub I have lusted over for some time!
Everybody is correct! This is Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). I do feel a twinge of jealousy that Heather has seen it growing naturally in a forest. I’ve only seen it when someone planted it in their yard.
We do not have Hydrangia at our place. Some Hydrangia species have been noted in the Himalayas. It is nice to see these specimens in greater details. Thanks.